F2 | FP | Austrian GP | Alex Dunne dominated the rest of the grid in tricky Free Practice session - Motorsport

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Following almost a month-long break, all 22 drivers are back on track competing for the FIA F2 Championship at the Austrian GP, full FP report and results below. This time off the track gave the drivers plenty of time to prepare for racing at the Red Bull Ring. This Austrian circuit is known for bringing unpredictable weather changes, and a good qualifying result is key.

Currently, the Drivers’ Championship has a tight battle in the front between impressive rookie Alex Dunne and experienced driver Richard Verschoor. Dunne is at a slim 3-point advantage from Verschoor, but with 8 rounds left in the 2025 season, standings can change fast. While the Barcelona GP favoured Avrid Lindblad, who is actively 3rd in the championship after his Feature win.

Lights out for Free Practice

The seventh round of the 2025 season began. The Red Bull Ring is tricky due to its short layout and recurring track limits infringements. However, with clouds of rain looming over the circuit, the 45-minute F2 Austrian GP FP session got underway with a VSC test.

Quickly setting the benchmark for the rest of the grid, Hitech’s Luke Browning claimed the first P1 of the Free Practice. The first warm-up laps allowed the drivers to familiarise themselves with the high-elevation driving.

The two Prema drivers, Sebastián Montoya and Gabriele Mini, were the only ones who sat back in the pits. Luke Browning put his Hitech right back on top with a 1:17:588, while all the other drivers set their first times.

Rodin Motorsport’s Amaury Cordeel managed to dethrone Browning, and Leonardo Fornaroli followed suit. Yet, Victor Martins’ attempt left him behind the Brit for the F2 Austrian GP FP.

Meanwhile, Jak Crawford found the pace to rise to the top step with a 1:16:925, dropping the time some more.

30 minutes left on the clock

The first taker for the run-off area at the exit of Turn 3 was Browning. Yet, while he was trying to get back in P1, Crawford and Martins exchanged this position again.

Another good lap for Cordeel put him just under pole with a +0.003. An impressive effort from the Belgian driver. Nevertheless, the Prema drivers took to the track and managed to set some good times.

Unfortunately for Amaury Cordeel, he fell victim to a run-off on the way down to Turn 3 after a lock-up. While he caused a Yellow Flag, he did manage to get his car back on track, avoiding the Red in this F2 Austrian GP FP.

Furthermore, as Montoya lost control slightly after bouncing on a curb, his teammate Mini took P1 with some toe and a 1:16:391. In second place was Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad with a +0.210, and MP Motorsport driver Richard Verschoor in third.

After a similar issue for Sebastián Montoya, losing the rear grip and going into the gravel, he took his Prema car to the pit lane.

The time differences were tiny, with Joshua Durksen’s 9th place difference being only a +0.567. Meanwhile, another run off in the gravel for Pepe Martí this time, showcasing the F2 struggle with the braking bias.

Last 15 minutes

Beginning his lap with a personal best, Jak Crawford made a good attempt at taking back P1. His purple third sector during this F2 Austrian GP FP brought him right behind Mini, lowering Prema’s advantage.

Verschoor’s MP teammate, Oliver Goethe, also suffered from a run-off during his flying lap, keeping his P16. Moreover, another incident in Turn 3 for Montoya saw him lose the balance and quickly run wide.

With Mini, Lindblad and Crawford holding the top 3 with 8 minutes left of the session, all other drivers kept trying to break them up. Rodin Motorsport’s Alex Dunne did it, following a purple first sector for the championship leader, 1:16:252.

Victor Martins tried his hand at dropping the time even more, yet his lap fell short, only bringing him up to P4. A big run-off for Pepe Martí saw him cutting a corner and taking his Campos car through the gravel.

Chequered flag in Austria

Only improving his time, Dunne held out in the front with a new 1:16:121 during the F2 Austrian GP FP.

An incident between Kush Maini and Sebastián Montoya was flagged to the Stewards for impeding. Following this event, Maini also had a big lockup, which caused him to spin, yet he managed to keep control.

The last two corners caused Victor Martins to lose out on his final lap time, finishing his session in P4. The last laps at the Red Bull Ring had the drivers doing some practice starts for the races.

Finally, the time ran out, and Rodin’s Alex Dunne dominated the rest of the grid. Behind him, Prema’s Gabriele Mini held close to the Irishman with a +0.270. Completing the top 3, Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad managed to avoid losing his place to Martins.